Departmental Human Resources Officer II - Exempt

The Position

Contra Costa County is recruiting to fill one (1) Departmental Human Resources Officer II- Exempt vacancy in the Employment and Human Services Department.

Contra Costa County’s Employment and Human Services Department works diligently to provide the community with resources that support, protect, and empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. The department is committed to hiring candidates that share our core values of delivering an exceptional customer service experience, encouraging open communication, embracing change, practicing ethical behavior, and embracing diversity.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A strong leader. You will develop and maintain effective working relationships with your team and lead by example.
  
• A strong relationship builder. You will need to establish relationships across divisions, departments and with external agencies.
  
• A strong motivator and supporter. You will need to encourage and support your line supervisors who are responsible for providing day-to-day supervision of Personnel/Payroll staff.
  
• Organized and results driven. You will need to balance multiple priorities and know when it is appropriate to delegate.
  
• Able to demonstrate empathy while maintaining objectivity. You will need to demonstrate your understanding of the human side of human resources, keeping in mind the department and the county’s interests as well as resolving employee conflict and showing compassion to staff.
  
• Able to adapt to constant change. You will need to be flexible and able to shift priorities quickly as needs change.
  
• Able to uphold Personnel’s role in following County directives. You will need to ensure that Personnel follows directives from the County Human Resources Department, which is responsible for administering County human resources processes and procedures.
  

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Advising directors, deputies, and management teams on human resources management issues and formulation of departmental policies and procedures
  
• Planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the department’s human resources management program and labor relations.
  
• Planning, directing, and coordinating work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, employee relations, leave administration, and safety
  
• Representing the Department in employee relations and negotiation activities
  
• Monitoring and reviewing personnel activities for consistency and propriety with regard to the Department’s goals, policies, and procedures
  
• Overseeing nondiscrimination, affirmative action, and equal employment opportunity programs
  

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Strategic Influence on HR and Departmental Policies: Serving on the Executive Team, The Departmental Human Resources Officer II (DHRO II) plays a crucial role in shaping departmental policies, employee relations, and organizational culture. This level of influence can be rewarding for someone who enjoys making impactful, high-level decisions.
• Diverse and Complex Responsibilities: The role covers a wide range of HR functions, from recruitment and employee relations to labor negotiations and organizational development. This diversity keeps the work engaging and offers opportunities to develop and apply a broad HR skill set.
• Opportunity for Leadership and Mentorship: Supervising both direct HR staff and Departmental Human Resources Supervisors, the position offers ample opportunities to lead, coach, and mentor others, which can be fulfilling for someone who enjoys helping others grow professionally.
• High Impact within Large County Departments: This position operates in some of the largest county departments, such as Health Services and Employment and Human Services, meaning the work affects a significant number of employees and ultimately influences county-wide initiatives.
• Advancing Technology and Modern Practices: The role allows for advancing and implementing HR technology solutions, streamlining HR processes, and modernizing the HR approach within the department. This can be particularly exciting for someone passionate about innovation in public sector HR.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Managing Complex Labor Relations: Overseeing labor negotiations and employee relations for large, diverse departments can be challenging, especially when balancing employee needs with organizational goals and policies under union regulations.
  
• High Expectations and Accountability: As the DHRO II on the Executive Team, there’s a high level of visibility, responsibility, and pressure to make sound decisions in alignment with department and county objectives.
  
• Navigating Public Sector Bureaucracy: Working in a large public agency often involves adhering to complex regulations, policies, and systems, which can slow down decision-making and project implementation.
  
• Balancing Multiple, Competing Priorities: The role requires juggling a wide variety of tasks, from overseeing recruitment processes to addressing labor relations issues, which can be demanding and require strong prioritization skills.
  
• Maintaining Objectivity and Fairness: Administering the department’s personnel program while maintaining objectivity can be challenging, especially in cases that involve sensitive employee issues or conflicting stakeholder interests.
  

Competencies required:

• Leadership: Ability to guide and mentor a diverse team, including direct HR staff and supervisory roles, to achieve department goals.
  
• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to evaluate long-term department objectives and align HR strategies to meet those goals.
  
• Problem-Solving: Proficiency in analyzing complex personnel and organizational issues and devising effective solutions.
  
• Labor Relations Expertise: Knowledgeable in handling negotiations and managing relationships with labor organizations, particularly under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act.
  
• Communication: Skilled in communicating HR policies, providing advice to executive management, and preparing concise reports.
  
• Organizational systems thinking: Ability to implement staff training, development programs, and succession planning for departmental growth.
  
• Interpersonal Savvy: Capability to build and maintain effective relationships with various stakeholders within and outside the department.
  
• Objectivity and Fairness: Maintains impartiality in personnel matters, ensuring decisions align with policies and merit system principles.
  
• Adaptability: Able to respond to evolving departmental needs and shifting priorities in a dynamic public-sector environment.
  
• Supervision and Performance Management: Skilled in hiring, training, evaluating, and developing subordinate staff for optimal department performance.
  
• Knowledge of HR Systems and Technology: Proficiency in leveraging HR technology to improve efficiency in processes such as recruitment and payroll.
  
• Policy Knowledge: Understanding of the California Welfare and Institutions Code and related state policies for social service operations.
  
• Project Management: Effective at managing special HR projects and ensuring alignment with departmental objectives.
  
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Upholds affirmative action and equal opportunity principles in recruitment and department policies.
  
• Time Management: Capable of managing a broad portfolio of responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and delivering results under time constraints.
  

To read the full job description, please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/contracosta/classspecs/newprint/1394941

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Business or Public Administration, Social or Behavioral Science, Human Resources Management, Organizational Development, or a closely related field.

Experience: Four (4) years of full-time or its equivalent personnel management experience which included responsibility for conducting or participating in negotiations with labor organizations on issues pertaining to employer/employee relations , and the performance of departmental personnel functions, at least two (2) years of which must have been in a public agency in a supervisory capacity.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, or Organizational Development: Advanced education in these fields would provide a deeper understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of managing complex HR systems.
  
• Certification in Human Resources (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or PHR/SPHR): Recognized HR certifications demonstrate professional credibility and a commitment to staying current with HR best practices.
  
• Experience in Labor Relations in a Public Sector Setting: Extensive experience in labor relations, particularly within a unionized public agency, would be beneficial for handling negotiations and employee relations in a large, regulated department.
  
• Knowledge of California Employment Laws and the Merit System: Familiarity with California-specific employment laws and the Merit System would be an asset, especially in navigating public sector regulations and compliance requirements.
  
• Experience with HR Information Systems (HRIS) and Technology Implementation: Practical experience in utilizing HRIS and other HR-related technology would support process improvements and enhance efficiency in HR operations.
  
• Project Management Certification (e.g., PMP): Formal training in project management would be advantageous for overseeing departmental HR projects and initiatives from planning through execution.
  
• Experience in Organizational Development and Change Management: Background in these areas would support the department’s goals for continuous improvement, staff development, and effective change management strategies.
  

Selection Process

This position is exempt from the merit system and will not follow regular county recruitment and selection procedures. Not all applicants will be invited to participate in the evaluation and interview process.

Application Filing: Candidates are required to attach a cover letter and either a copy of their college degree or transcripts . Applications without this documentation attached will not be accepted. Interview: Applications will be evaluated, and those candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to interview.
The employment list established by this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Matthew Damm at matthew.damm@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the Government Jobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 2/19/2025 12:00 AM Pacific

• 

• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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